Suppression of atherogenesis by nifedipine in the cholesterol-fed rhesus monkey

Diet-induced atherosclerosis in rhesus monkeys was suppressed in the carotid arteries and thoracic aorta by the calcium antagonist nifedipine given orally for a period of 1 year at a dose of 10 mg b.i.d. The extent of atherosclerosis was determined by quantitative micromorphometric studies. No change in serum blood cholesterol or biochemical composition of the major vessels was detected, but the intimal area and thickness of the atherosclerotic plaques in the carotid arteries of the nifedipine group were markedly less than those found with the control group (p less than 0.05). However, no statistically significant differences were seen in the degree of atherosclerotic involvement of the other major arterial vessels. Although the mechanism is not clear, nifedipine may be useful in the treatment of carotid artery disease.